Fappy:
Have you seen that slope? It is quite slippery D:

Help me Fappy! I'm slipping! I can't hold on to this slope!

So now we get to see a bunch of scenes of all the aliens starving on Earth.

Delightful.

BloatedGuppy:

Nimcha:
As much as I'm bored with the whole 'games is art' debate, your point is equally stupid. Explaining a piece of work doesn't devalue it.

If this game is considered art, explaining the ending won't change that.

Expanding on it is still changing it. What if the original vision was to have a short, mysterious ending that caused "lots of speculation"? That vision is now dead, replaced by the crass, populist demand for more closure. Following the "art must never be changed" commandment, we are now sliding down a slippery slope towards the doom of all artistic endeavor, forever.

That's the dumbest thing I've ever heard. As if this was the first time in history the integrity of art was in question. It has happened countless of times before, not with games maybe but other kinds of art, and from what I've seen art still survives and thrives.

Besides, this change or expansion, call it what you like, does not make Mass Effect 3 "less artistic". Bioware have chosen to do this, it's their choice, just like the original ending was their choice. How can the former be art and the latter not when Bioware made both? The fans did not force Bioware to do this. They did not say "change this or we will kill you" (well maybe some did but I don't think Bioware felt threatend much). Many said "change this or else I will never buy anymore Bioware game", but that's hardly forcing them to do anything. Maybe the fans' opinions matter much to Bioware, maybe not. Maybe that is why Bioware changed the ending, but Bioware would have survived and thrived even if they had never done this DLC. So maybe Bioware decided that this was the right way to go after all and suddenly that makes their game not art?

synobal:
I bet this won't satisfy half the whiners complaining about the ending. At this point Bioware are damned if they do damned if they don't.

Quite true.

There's already a number of threads in the cesspit of BSN where a bunch of people -- who need to find better thing to do with their time -- are launching textual attacks because they're not getting their way.

Sacrebleu!

Huh, it's not even an April Fools joke. Well, congrats to the Mass Effect fans for kicking up enough dust to get EA to do something for free, it's truly a feat.

Wonder if Kotaku and IGN will keep on with their whailing about artistic integrity.

TheCruxis:
That's the dumbest thing I've ever heard. As if this was the first time in history the integrity of art was in question. It has happened countless of times before, not with games maybe but other kinds of art, and from what I've seen art still survives and thrives.

Besides, this change or expansion, call it what you like, does not make Mass Effect 3 "less artistic". Bioware have chosen to do this, it's their choice, just like the original ending was their choice. How can the former be art and the latter not when Bioware made both? The fans did not force Bioware to do this. They did not say "change this or we will kill you" (well maybe some did but I don't think Bioware felt threatend much). Many said "change this or else I will never buy anymore Bioware game", but that's hardly forcing them to do anything. Maybe the fans' opinions matter much to Bioware, maybe not. Maybe that is why Bioware changed the ending, but Bioware would have survived and thrived even if they had never done this DLC. So maybe Bioware decided that this was the right way to go after all and suddenly that makes their game not art?

I think it's really cute you're directing this tirade at me, of all people.

Also, I think you should go see the doctor. It seems likely that organ thieves kidnapped you and removed your sarcasm gland.

It's encouraging, but a shame it won't change how shit the ending of the series actually was. Oh well, at least it stands to make some kind of sense at least.

BloatedGuppy:

I think it's really cute you're directing this tirade at me, of all people.

Also, I think you should go see the doctor. It seems likely that organ thieves kidnapped you and removed your sarcasm gland.

To be fair, it can be very hard to discern sarcasm from plain old text.

Making it free was the least they could do really, it is their poor ending they're fixing after all. That said, I don't see this really fixing my problems with the ending anyway since they're not changing it just clarifying the mess of the original.

BloatedGuppy:

I think it's really cute you're directing this tirade at me, of all people.

Also, I think you should go see the doctor. It seems likely that organ thieves kidnapped you and removed your sarcasm gland.

I'd say you should work on your writing sarcasm skills in that case. You do realize I can not hear your voice while I read your post I hope.

TheCruxis:
I'd say you should work on your writing sarcasm skills in that case. You do realize I can not hear your voice while I read your post I hope.

My friend, if you couldn't detect a whiff of deliberate hyperbole in the paragraph you quoted, then no amount of "writing sarcasm skills" on my part would've saved you. Regardless, the point that you were screeching to the choir stands. You can just say "whoops, my bad" and we can both go on with our lives. Or you can attempt to blame me for not putting everything in sarcasm tags to save people from breaking their ankles when they leap to conclusions. Your choice.

Now we just have to wait until the summer to find out how the explain it in the Director's Cut. Of course I'm one of those that didn't see the Star Child as "Space-Magic" seeing as we don't even know half of the science of that period, much less one that is millenniums greater than anything we've ever accomplished.

Eh...I don't know. Lack of closure was only one problem on a very long list. I applaud them for making it free but...I'm honestly starting to beleive that Mass Effect is now forever stuck in the same pit as Lost, Evangelion and Big O, good series with a Whiskey Tango Foxtrox ending that came right out of left field and made no sense at all, by itself or within the contex of the series. For more, click the link below.

http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/GainaxEnding

Screw it I guess, I had some good times with the series, but it's time to move on. "Goes to sit down and wait for Halo 4 and Bioshock Infinite to be released"

Magicduck:
Wait wait wait, stop. Did I just see FREE and EA in the same sentence? This year really is the end of the world then. Anyway really glad that they are doing something meaningful to fix the situation, I mean I wasn't one of the people who thought the entire game was ruined (ME3 is my favorite out of the lot) but I really did think the ending had a lot to be desired.

It's not unheard of. Mass Effect 2 had about 5 free DLC released to anyone who bought a new copy of the game.

4th April - EA wins "Worst company in America" award

5th April - EA announces free DLC for ME3

Interesting 24 hours wouldn't you say

Im still boycotting the game but Im happy to hear the unhappiness of fans got through to bioware. I dont think this extended ending will calm the storm because its not rewriting the ending, just expanding on it, but then again I could be wrong

Regardless Im very happy that its going to be free and very happy that Bioware got the message from its fans and tried to change things

erttheking:
Eh...I don't know. Lack of closure was only one problem on a very long list. I applaud them for making it free but...I'm honestly starting to beleive that Mass Effect is now forever stuck in the same pit as Lost, Evangelion and Big O, good series with a Whiskey Tango Foxtrox ending that came right out of left field and made no sense at all, by itself or within the contex of the series. For more, click the link below.

http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/GainaxEnding

Screw it I guess, I had some good times with the series, but it's time to move on. "Goes to sit down and wait for Halo 4 and Bioshock Infinite to be released"

Lost's ending worked (for some people) because while it didn't make a lick of sense on many levels, it provided profound emotional resolution. If ME3 does no better than follow Lost in that regard, I'll be alright with it. I just need SOMETHING I can hang my hat on and say "I guess this is good enough". As the fine link you've provided says, even a Gainax ending can provide some closure.

Fappy:

Well shit, what do you guys think?

I think it's pointless.
I don't play videogames to form some sort of emotional bond with characters only to see them die later mostly because there's no option to save them even if it shouldn't be that hard. No ending or explanation will change the fact that ME3 is highly depressing stuff. :\

In my opinion ME3 designers forgot the purpose of videogaming...

MetalDooley:
4th April - EA wins "Worst company in America" award

5th April - EA announces free DLC for ME3

Interesting 24 hours wouldn't you say

dont forget EA defends itself from protestors calling for the option to be gay removed from its games

while ill add this dlc to my account personally its not worth the effort of reinstalling the game. ill just watch it on youtube

This is great news. I just hope this DLC delivers. I'll have my fingers crossed.

Fappy:
Well shit, what do you guys think?

In case you don't follow the link it explicitly states it will be free. EA giving out something for free... today's one of those rare sorts I presume.

This outcome has been predictable ever since the full fury of the interwebs was unleashed on them. Their plan to cut out the ending as a means to create must buy DLC (and by extension, keep everyone playing their new Halo-esque multiplayer franchise until the release of Mass Effect 2014 with updated player rosters and a franchise mode) backfired, and sadly this gesture will largely sate the masses, who will forgive and forget for the most part.

An epilogue is all I've wanted, and now that i'm going to get it.... woohoo!

BloatedGuppy:
Pretty much what I expected. Nice that they're making it free, because oh the shitstorm if they hadn't.

I guess we'll just have to see whether "additional clarity and closure" will help make a silk purse out of a sow's ear.

"silk purse out of a sow's ear"? xD can't say I've ever heard that one.

But yeah, if they DARED to try and charge for this, there would be arson. Lots and lots of arson.

Quesa:
This outcome has been predictable ever since the full fury of the interwebs was unleashed on them. Their plan to cut out the ending as a means to create must buy DLC (and by extension, keep everyone playing their new Halo-esque multiplayer franchise until the release of Mass Effect 2014 with updated player rosters and a franchise mode) backfired, and sadly this gesture will largely sate the masses, who will forgive and forget for the most part.

Well...they'll forgive and forget if it's any good. It's hard to imagine them screwing it up, but then I never would have predicted the epic bedshitting that was the original ending, either, so anything is possible. It's not an easy ending to redeem.

I remain sceptical. It's free DLC so I'll most likely play it.

It still doesn't address how rushed the game was (sprites, SOO MANY PLOT HOLES, less character interaction, the Citadel being moved, etc. etc.) so yeah. Hopefully it's more like The Witcher 2 Enhanced Edition in that it adds and cleans up the entire game as opposed to just adding a few more cut scenes.

Here's hoping the DLC will not be rushed. I'm willing to wait ages for it.

Fappy:
Check it out.

REDWOOD CITY, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--BioWare, a Label of Electronic Arts Inc. announced Mass Effect™ 3: Extended Cut, a downloadable content pack that will expand upon the events at the end of the critically acclaimed Action RPG. Through additional cinematic sequences and epilogue scenes, the Mass Effect 3: Extended Cut will give fans seeking further clarity to the ending of Mass Effect 3 deeper insights into how their personal journey concludes. Coming this summer, the Mass Effect 3: Extended Cut will be available for download on the Xbox 360® videogame and entertainment system, PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system and PC for no extra charge*.

"We are all incredibly proud of Mass Effect 3 and the work done by Casey Hudson and team," said Dr. Ray Muzyka, Co-Founder of BioWare and General Manager of EA's BioWare Label. "Since launch, we have had time to listen to the feedback from our most passionate fans and we are responding. With the Mass Effect 3: Extended Cut we think we have struck a good balance in delivering the answers players are looking for while maintaining the team's artistic vision for the end of this story arc in the Mass Effect universe."

Casey Hudson, Executive Producer of the Mass Effect series added, "We have reprioritized our post-launch development efforts to provide the fans who want more closure with even more context and clarity to the ending of the game, in a way that will feel more personalized for each player."

Well shit, what do you guys think?

In case you don't follow the link it explicitly states it will be free. EA giving out something for free... today's one of those rare sorts I presume.

Looks like we were BOTH proven wrong. :P

Though this was something that I had always suspected from the beginning...my new prediction is that our free DLC that "clarifies and brings closure to the ending" is that they're simply going to put everything the cut out - as described in that Final Hours of ME 3 thing - back in and see how well that goes over. I say this considering the article on the front page about Jennifer Hale saying "They haven't called me back in for new voice acting" which means no actual "new" content...which means the stuff they'll be putting in will most likely be "old" content that they already have.

RJ 17:
Though this was something that I had always suspected from the beginning...my new prediction is that our free DLC that "clarifies and brings closure to the ending" is that they're simply going to put everything the cut out - as described in that Final Hours of ME 3 thing - back in and see how well that goes over. I say this considering the article on the front page about Jennifer Hale saying "They haven't called me back in for new voice acting" which means no actual "new" content...which means the stuff they'll be putting in will most likely be "old" content that they already have.

They could accomplish a lot with non-voice acted cinematics backed by music. The Wire and The Sopranos (amongst other things) often ended seasons this way, with a long montage set to music, and they provided immense closure. That way, while you might still be left holding the bag on the whole Star Kid/Synthetic Singularity nonsense, there's an opportunity for emotional closure. Show some recovery scenes, maybe, or show some friends reacting to Shepard's sacrifice. Give everyone a sense that their sacrifice meant something beyond the nonsensical Gilligan's planet sequence.

The only reason you'd need Hale/Meer back is if you planned on doing Indoctrination Theory, and that was always a little pie in the sky.

Maybe the Mass Effect fans can shut up now. Come on there are new BETTER games coming out this year. Max Payne 3, GTA V, Diablo III. hell on TV theres the second season of Game of Thrones, and the third season of Boardwalk Empire. gah I'm so over it.

I actually just read the blog post on the Bioware website! My favorite line from the whole thing is, "...we are aware that there are some fans who would like more closure to Mass Effect 3."

They act as if the entirety of the Mass Effect fanbase hasn't been bombarding them with hate mail and protests and shit! And I find that hilarious.

Not really sure if it's good enough. However it's an interesting middle ground. However the ending just seems broken on a base level, and I don't think providing extra closure can fix that.

Honestly I was in the 'just let it suck' boat, but time will tell if this fixes the lack of closure at least.

The ending is rushed and badly executed, but I'm ok with its general idea. So I think this is a good thing, they have the chance to improve on it without fundamentally changing it. I hoped it went like this, and here it is.

Now I have to reserve time to go through with my next playthrough of ME 1-2-3 so that I can see the extended cut when it's released.

So it's free - big deal, it deserved to be free, it's uncharacteristic of EA to do that, but in this unique circumstance of 'oh no, we fucked up the, to-be, greatest game of the decade', they couldn't have done anything else.

It's difficult to be certain on whether or not this will patch up the papier mashe of an ending they originally provided, people will have to download it, reload their most up to date save as possible (please not be that horrible missle sequence again), experience the DLC, then see if its adequete or not, its possible.

The papier mashe didn't ruin the game, because the game was simply never finished - the parts they provided (idk 94-98%) were all pretty epically fantastic, almost perfect, arguably the best of the series, certainly better than ME2 in many ways, but it still wasn't a full game, and it'll be interesting to see if the community feels this makes it one (it is free, so even if its delayed, I'd still say it counts).

42:
Maybe the Mass Effect fans can shut up now. Come on there are new BETTER games coming out this year. Max Payne 3, GTA V, Diablo III. hell on TV theres the second season of Game of Thrones, and the third season of Boardwalk Empire. gah I'm so over it.

Hahaha! Good troll man, very funny.